Ratchet mechanism for swingable back-rest



Dec. 8, 1959 R. PANICCI RATCHET MECHANISM FOR SWINGABLEBACK-REST Filed July 7. 1958 INVENTOR. Mai/3420a.

2,916,086 RATCHET MECHANISM FOR SWINGABLE BACK-REST e Richard L. Panicci, Northampton, Mass., assignor to Hampden Specialty Products, Inc.,- Easthampton, Mass., a corporation i Application Jur 7, 1958, Serial No. 746,741 1 Claim. or. 159- 159 This invention relates toimprovements in furniture and is directed more particularly 'to an article of furniture having a swingable back rest or support which is adjustable to various angular positions for the comfort of the occupant.

The novel features of the invention are adapted for use with furniture of various types of styles, but will be shown and described in connection with a chaise longue for purposes of disclosure. It will be understood that the invention is not limited thereto.

According to novel features of the invention, a back rest or support is swingable relative to a supporting frame structure between a more or less upright position and relatively more angular or reclining positions rearwardly thereof in combination with novel ratchet mechanism which is provided to releasably hold the back support in desired positions of adjustment.

The novel ratchet mechanism of the invention is easily and readily manipulated, and is constructed and arranged so as to be concealed from view.

Prior art chaises longues have been provided with ratchet devices for the back rest but these have been unsightly and too frequently have included projecting parts, sharp corners or the like by which occupants and their clothing have been injured.

The novel ratchet mechanism of the invention, being concealed as aforesaid, the danger of an occupant or clothing being caught thereby is obviated, while at the same time the appearance of the lounge is not impaired by mechanism as formerly.

Various changes and modifications may be made in the form of the ratchet mechanism of the invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of a portion of a chaise longue having the novel features of the invention associated therewith;

Fig. 2 is a plan view on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the ratchet plate of the invention; and

Fig. 4 is an elevational sectional view on the line 4-4 of Fig. 1.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, the novel features of the invention will be described in connection with the frame of a chaise longue for purposes of disclosure, but the invention may be employed with other articles of furniture as well.

A rear portion of an elongated frame member of a chaise longue is represented by 2, to which is secured a member 4 that is formed in the usual manner to support the member 2. It will be understood that there will be corresponding components at opposite sides of the lounge which are rigidly secured together in transversely spaced relation.

The novel features of the invention may be employed with frame structures of various forms, the frame shown being for purposes of disclosure only.

A back rest is shown at 6 which is usually in the 2 shape of an inverted U having side portions 8, and an upper transverse portion 10.

Opposite side portions 8 of the back rest 6 are swingable on opposite sides of the frame structure in any desired manner, as on pivots of suitable form, indicated by 14. The back rest, in Fig. 1, is shown in what may be termed an upright position, and is swingable to one of several more rear or inclined positions, such as represented by the dash lines. 1

Arms or arm rests 16 are provided, one at each side of the structure, and are formedfrom tubing to have an inner longitudinal portion 18 which is turned rearwardly at 20 to provide a portion ZZ disposed angularly relative to the portion 18. The rear end 24 of portion 22 is returnedto the portion 18, and is secured thereto in'any well known manner.

The rear inner ends of the longitudinal portions 18 of the arms are pivoted at 26 for swinging relative to the sideportions 8 of the back rest, and the frame portions 4.

The longitudinal portions 18 of the arms are provided with longitudinally extending slots 30 along lower sides thereof. A plurality of longitudinally spaced pins 38 are secured transversely in the portions 18 of the arms 16, and extend transversely of the slots 30.

Ratchet plates 40 are secured, by rivets 42 or the like, to inner sides of the frame members 4, and are arranged so that upper sides thereof are receivable in the slots 30 along the undersides of the arm portions 18.

Notches or sockets 44 are provided on upper edges of the ratchet plates 40 in which the pins 38 of the arms are receivable. Projections 46 extend outwardly from upper edges of the ratchet plates 40, and may be of any desired configuration.

The ratchet mechanism of the invention is constructed to be engaged and disengaged by the occupant of the chair and is arranged to releasably lock or hold the back rest in the position desired by said occupant.

The frame structure and back rest of the lounge will be upholstered, or fitted with body supporting means, as may be desired.

As the occupant of the lounge desires that the back rest assume a more reclined position, the arms are grasped and slightly elevated to disengage a pin from the notch 44 of the plate 40, and slight rearward leaning pressure on the back rest by the occupant swings the back rest rearwardly on its pivots 14. The arm rests 16 are released so that the pins 38 of the arms are seated in sockets or notches of the plates 40.

When the occupant desires to adjust the back rest forwardly from a more reclining position, the arm rests are grasped and elevated slightly to disengage the pins and notches. The occupant leans forwardly, and moves the arm rests forwardly to position the more rearward pins over the notches of the plates, and the arms are then released for engagement of the pins and notches.

It is very easy for the occupant to lean forwardly to the position desired, then to elevate the arms and move the back rest forwardly to engage the back, and then to release the arms.

There may be spring means to urge the back rest forwardly so that it will follow the back, as the occupant leans forwardly.

It will be observed that the ratchet mechanism is readily and easily manipulated and is concealed. By being concealed, the mechanism in no way detracts from or impairs a desired appearance of the article with which used, and the danger of an occupant or clothing being caught or injured by the mechanism is obviated.

The projections 46 on upper edges of the plates 40, being within the arm rests, limit upward movements of the arm rests relative to the frame components therebelow.

The mechanism is such that it may be used with various constructions embodying a supporting frame on which a component, such as a back rest or the like, is swingable between adjusted positions.

The novel features of the invention for purposesof disclosure are shown in the form thereof presently preferred; but changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is therefore desired to be limited, if at all, by the appended claim, rather than the foregoing disclosure.

I claim:

The combination with the frame of a chaise longue or the like having a side frame provided with an upper portion and a back-rest having side members pivoted to said frame on a horizontal axis for swinging fore and aft between adjusted positions of means to releasably look a side member of the back-rest in adjusted positions comprising, an elongated tubulararm pivoted at its rear end to said back-rest member and extending horizontally forwardly therefrom and over the upper portion of the frame for up and down movements relative to said portion between lower locking and upper non-locking positions and being movable fore andaft with said back-rest, said arm provided with a straight slot extending longitudinally along the lower side thereof and having longitudinally a plurality of spaced pins extending transversely through said arm and transversely relative to said slot, a relatively thin plate secured to the'upper portion of said frame having an upper vertically disposed portion extending through said slot and radially into said arm and provided with a transverse notch in the upper edge thereof and within said armin which one of said pins is receivable in a lower locking position of said arm, and said plate provided with a laterally extending portion at the upper edge thereof withinsaid arm limiting upward movement of said arm and preventing separation of the arm and upper portion of said plate.

Hacklaender Nov. 1, 1892 Pederson Mar. 4, 1958 

